SUV pulled from water after flipping off Twin Bridges

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Major traffic delays were reported at the Twin Bridges after an SUV flipped over a median, into the water below Thursday afternoon.

Around 5:20 p.m., Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash in the westbound lanes of Interstate 64 at mile marker 286.

Sgt. Michelle Anaya said a 2003 Honda Accord was traveling west and made a sudden lane change to avoid stopping traffic. During the lane change, the vehicle sideswiped a 1997 Toyota 4Runner, causing it to flip over the side of the bridge.

A man nearby was able to rescue the driver, identified as William Dubois, from the water in his boat. Anaya said Dubois received only minor injuries, like cuts and abrasions.

WAVY News spoke with the couple who rescued Dubois from the water. Pamela Tripp told WAVY.com she saw the SUV hit the water and screamed to her husband to get his boat.

“He didn’t want to get out of the car – he didn’t want it to sink,” Johnny Tripp told WAVY.com. “He got on top of the car, his left shoulder was messed up real bad. My wife said his collarbone was broken, I didn’t see it.”

“I think it’s just natural instinct to help somebody, he was out there crying for help you got to help him,” Pamela Tripp added. “I don’t think we’re heroes, we just did what we needed to do.”

Chopper 10 was above the scene as emergency crews secured someone into a stretcher and took the person away in an ambulance.